FEATURE Part Two: Dealing with hare coursers

As we patrol, I’m told of several things that the police look out for and ways of spotting potential hare coursing activity.

Many hare coursers use 4x4-type vehicles, so a lot of the focus is on those.

Things to keep an eye out for include dog guards and multiple occupants inside a vehicle, a freshly-dirty vehicle could also be a sign of the activity taking place recently.

Vehicles parked up in isolated or unusual areas are also subject to checks.

There are a number of ways officers deal with suspected coursers even when they cannot prove the person was involved or planning to be involved in the activity itself.

The most common of these on this day seemed to be a section59 (using a vehicle in an anti-social way), while officers can also use a number of other tactics, including various motoring offences such as having no MOT and no insurance.

PC Gent also tells me that those with experience in roads policing and mechanics will even spot balding tyres and other mechanical issues. In all, the message is clear when dealing with hare coursing – police will disrupt it however they can.